The Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) and LSU Health
Shreveport (LSUHS) are partnering to advance research capability for the state of
Louisiana.
This new endeavor sees CIC providing data center space to LSUHS to house a key
portion of their high-powered computing capability to bolster their data analytics and
research capacity. The move comes as LSUHS is embarking on the National Disaster
Medical System (NDMS) Pilot program, a federally directed initiative designed to
strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to large-scale disasters, public health
emergencies, and other catastrophic events. LSUHS was one of one eight sites across
the U.S. selected for the program.
“This new partnership will strengthen bonds within the local community by supporting
LSUHS’s cutting-edge medical research,” said Kevin Nolten, CIC president. “It fully
aligns with our focus on national security, cybersecurity and regional economic
development while proving groundbreaking innovations for our nation can be achieved
right here in Shreveport-Bossier.”
“LSUHS is grateful to have access to the highest level of data security through a
partnership with the CIC. When considering the increasingly rigorous standards for
research security and the frequency of breech attempts, it was imperative to identify a
timely and cost-effective solution,” stated Dr. Lester Johnson, Senior Vice Chancellor for
LSUHS.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) commended the collaboration, saying
LSUHS and the CIC are critical in the work they do to support the Shreveport-Bossier
community.
“This partnership in North Louisiana builds on the strengths of these two organizations
to support medical research and bolster our national security,” Johnson said. “I am
proud to represent North Louisiana and am grateful for the innovative and collaborative
work being done daily, which not only meets our defense needs but also contributes to
our local economy.”
Led by the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, the NDMS pilot
program seeks to create a more agile and sustainable partnership between military and
civilian healthcare systems. Its goals include evaluating current capabilities, improving
future healthcare policies, and developing plans that allow healthcare systems to rapidly
expand capacity during major medical surge events.
“The partnership between LSUHS and CIC will allow LSUHS clinical and basic science
researchers access to CIC’s unique expertise in data security while simultaneously
expanding opportunities to pursue research grants that require heightened security
measures to assure data integrity for the implementation of advanced analytic
strategies,” shared John Vanchiere, MD, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical
Research.
“As a site for the NDMS Pilot Program, LSUHS is committed to providing robust data
security across its entire research enterprise. Our collaboration with the CIC will ensure
that LSUHS can continue to compete in the increasingly complex arena of biomedical
research to solve challenging health problems,” Dr. Vanchiere added.
For more information on the NDMS Pilot Program, visit research.lsuhs.edu.